An experimental study on transient flows has been carried out by the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP). Two and three phase flows have been studied in two complex geometries including 1 or 3 low points. Due to the complexity of the topography, the flow pattern was time and location dependent. To classify the data, the flow pattern has been characterised for the last low point on the loop. In this section, the water fraction has been measured. Several local pressure measurements have been realised over the total length of the loop. The experimental data have been used for the validation of the TACITE code against transient flow generated by complex geometry.
A good understanding of the initiation and the development of the terrain slugging phenomenon is needed in production systems. Field experience shows that unexpected slug flow affects the production rate and the separator performances (flooding effects, poor separation…). In the particular case of mature oil fields (as in the North Sea), the water production increases rapidly. The uncertainties of the three-phase oil-gas-water fractions are particularly pronounced in the modelling of slug flow.
